Calk for athletic shoes



E. C. STERNAMAN CALK FOR ATHLETIC SHOES Aug. 6, 1935.

Filed May 29, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l 2W 7 6 2 n w .2 v n c m m 6 w R w v a 1 PM) Aug. 6, 1935. E. c. STERNAMAN 'CALK FOR ATHLETIC SHOES Filed May 29, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 17013671157? Edward G. StBTHQWZQ v F. 39 {1:2 2 29c Patented Aug. 6, 1935 CALK FOR ATHLETIC SHOES Edward C. Sternaman, Chicago, 111., assignor to Florence Sternaman, Chicago, 111.

Application May 29, 1933, Serial No. 673,427

14 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of athletic shoes, which, as is well known, are equipped with calks or cleats on the sole to give the shoe an effective grip on the ground and prevent slipping.

In the earlier types of athletic shoes the calks were permanently fastened to the sole in various ways, so that, if a calk broke off, it was a matter of considerable difficulty to make a renewal or replacement. In many later types the calk has been detachably secured to the sole, either by a screw-threaded stud embedded in the calk engaged with an internally threaded socket member in the sole, or by a screw-threaded stud in the sole engaged with an internally threaded socket T member embedded in the calk, Examples of these are shown in my Patent No. 1,531,764, March 31,

1925. In both cases, the calk would, in service,

frequently partially back OE and become loose. In some instances it has been proposed to provide a metal plate on the base of the calk equipped with teeth so formed that they would permit the calk to be screwed onto the sole, but would bite into the leather of the sole when the calk tended to unscrew and thus resist backing off. Examples of this are shown in patent to Pierce, No. 1,687,534, October 16, 1928, and in British patent to Ellis No. 1,407 of 1879. But, owing to the comparatively soft and yielding character of the leather, especially when wet, this device was found short lived and inefiicient.

In Letters Patent No. 1,686,775, granted to me October 9, 1928, I have disclosed a non-removable calk formed with a tapered base portion, and

a collar including a tapered portion snugly encircling the tapered base portion and an annular securing flange lying against the sole of the shoe, and nails driven through the flange and sole and clinched on the inner side of the latter. My present invention, in all of the forms herein shown, employs the tapered calk base and collar of the said patent, and one object of the invention is to provide an improved attaching means which will allow the calk and its collar to be readily detached from the sole of the shoe for renewal or replacement. Another object is to provide an improved attaching means which will.

allow the calk and its collar to be readily detached from the sole, and will also look the calk against any turning movement when in service. Another object is to provide an improved attaching means of the screw type which may or may not allow the calk and its collar to be readily detached from the sole, but will efiiciently lock the calk against back turning movement in service. And a further object is to provide an improved attaching means of the screw type which will allow the calk and its collar to be readily detached from the sole, and will also look the calk against back turning movement when in service.

Other objects and attendant advantages of the 5 invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken in conection with the accompanying drawings, in which I have illustrated several practical forms in which the invention may be em- 10 bodied, and wherein- Fig. 1 is a bottom plan view of one form of detachable calk,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same viewed on the line 2'2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a central vertical section through the calk, its fastening means, and a portion of the sole of a shoe.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 44 of Fig. 1. a a

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of a detachable calk generally. similar to that of Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, but employing fastening means of the screw type to adapt it to shoe soles equipped with threaded socket members. 25

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the same viewed on the line 6-6 of Fig. 7, and partly broken out.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 30f the form shown in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation, and Fig. 9 is a top plan of the socket member shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a bottom .plan view of another form of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a plan section of the same on the line llll of Fig. 12.

Fig. 12 is a vertical section of the same showing the calk attached to the sole of a shoe.

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are views corresponding to Figs. 10, 11 and 12, respectively, of a modification of the form shown inFigs. 10, 11 and 12 wherein the cooperating screw fastening members in the sole and calk are reversed.

Figs. 16, 17 and 18 are views corresponding respectively to Figs. 13, 14, and 15, showing another means for securing the flange of the calk collar to the calk base plate.

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 18, showing the optional use of a special lock washer between the calk base plate and the seating plate on the base of the sole. 7

Fig. 20 is a plan view of the lock washer.

Fig. 21 is a bottom plan view of another con struction wherein the calk collar is removably attached to the calk base plate by thread-cutting screws. I

Fig. 22 is a vertical section, showing the calk and fastening means of Fig. 21 applied to the sole.

Fig. 23 is an enlarged vertical section in the plane of one of the thread-cutting screws.

In all the forms of the invention illustrated, the calk itself, which may be of indurated fiber, hard rubber, or any of the other materials commonly used for this purpose, is designated by iii, and is formed with a tapered base portion i i that is snugly embraced by a correspondingly tapered collar l2.

Referring first to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, continuous with the wide end of the collar 12 is a narrow substan tially square flange l2, one end of which is formed with a narrowed extension I3 in which are cut a pair of transverse slots 53'', and the other end of which is formed with a narrowed tongue M. i5 designates a flat plate that constitutes a base plate for the calk iii, overlying the base of the latter and flange i2 and its extension [3 and tongue It, and formed at one end with a pair of downwardly struck longitudinal loops it that receive a cotter pin 11, and at its other end with a single downwardly struck transverse loop i6 that receives the tongue it. At four side points and two end points the plate i5 is punched to form countersunk holes 26 that receive the heads of nails 2! (Fig. 4) driven through the sole 22 and clinched at their inner ends, as shown.

By reason of the described construction, a cracked or broken calk can be readily removed by withdrawing the cotter pin i1, raising the extension !3 clear of the loops it, withdrawing tongue fitting a new calk in place in the collar 52, re-engaging the tongue and extension with their loops i6 and i6, and replacing the cotter pin ll. At the same time, when the calk is in service it is manifestly securely held against turning in either direction, and in service the calk is very securely and strongly anchored to the sole of the shoe. As best shown in Fig. 1, the flange $2 of collar [2 is preferably formed at its four corners with nail holes 26. These nail holes have no function and are not used in the complete assembly shown and described. But they are provided to enable the collar flange to be nailed direst to the sole in case the base plate i5 should not be used, or should become broken and discarded.

In certain known and used constructions the sole of the shoe is fitted with an internally threaded socket member, which receives a threaded bolt or stud embedded in the calk to secure the latter to the sole by a screw fastening.

In some instances the sole is equipped with a flat metal washer encircling the shank of the socket member against which the base of the calk, when screwed up tightly, rests. In Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive, I have illustrated a modification of the calk above described which adapts it to a cooperating fastening member in the sole, and makes it detachable either by withdrawing the cotter pin and tongue, or Without separating the collar and its flange from the base plate.

Referring to Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive, 23 designates an internally threaded socket member that is countersunk in the sole 22 from the inner side of the latter, and 24 designates a metal disc, preferably of soft steel, that is seated on the lower side of the sole and preferably countersunk therein. The calk I0 is provided with an embedded threaded stud 25 that passes through a central hole 26- in the calk base plate i5 and screws into the socket member 23, the stud 25 being equipped with a nut 27 fast thereon that forms a shoulder to limit the entering movement of the stud 25 and, through contact with the base plate :5, prevents the head of the socket member 2 from rising and chafing the foot of the wearer. As best shown in Fig. 6, the calk base plate i5, which is preferably made of hardened and tempered steel, is formed with a circular row of teeth 28 cut and bent at a low angle therefrom, and slanting from their bases to their free ends in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation when screwing the calk onto the sole. The result is, that when the calk is fully screwed home, the teeth 28 are flattened down substantially into the plane of the plate 15, but with their free ends in biting engagement with the soft metal disc 24 so that any back turning tendency of the calk is strongly resisted by, the teeth 28 biting into the metal disc 24. Ordinarily the disc 24 is clamped with sufiicient friction against the sole to prevent its turning movement, but to insure against such turning of the disc 24. I preferably cut and bend from the latter a plurality of teeth 253 which bite into the leather of the sole.

While the teeth 28, as above stated, lock the 1 calk against accidental backing off in service, the calk may be rendered readily detachable by forming in the head of the socket member 23 a polygonal socket 30 (Fig. 9) that may receive the correspondingly shaped end of a wrench bar insertable within the shoe so as to both hold the socket member against turning when screwing up the calk and also to back out the socket member sufiiciently to release the bite of the teeth 28 and thus permit the unscrewing of the stud 25. In addition to, or in lieu of, the wrench socket 30, the head of the socket member may be provided with a transverse kerf 3! by which it may be held or turned by a screw driver device, such as a small coin, when applying and removing the calk.

In Figs. 10 to 12 inclusive, I have illustrated a construction generally similar to that last described, but showing the collar 12 formed with a circular flange 32, and a circular calk base plate 33 permanently united to the flange 32 by a group of spot welds 3a. This forms a very simple, inexpensive and strong means for uniting the calk collar and its flange to the base plate. As in the construction shown in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive, the base plate 33 is equipped with the same teeth 28 for cooperating with the washer 24 in preventing accidental backing off of the calk in service.

In Figs. 13 to 15 inclusive, I show a construction of calk, flanged collar and base plate adaptable for application to soles that are equipped with threaded studs onto which the calk is screwed. Here, the sole carries a threaded stud 35 having a tapered head 36 countersunk in the inner surface of the sole and, to render the same non-rotatable, further equipped with sharp ribs or wings 3? connecting the head and stem of the stud that sink into the leather and lock the stud against rotation when the calk is screwed on. In this case the base plate 33 of the calk is formed with a central internally threaded boss or sleeve 38 that screws onto the stud 35, said boss being countersunk to provide space for the locking nut or washer 2?. The calk itself is, of course, formed with a central bore 33' to receive the stud 35, which bore may also be internally threaded for engagement with the stud. In this case also the flange 3-2 of the collar 12 is spot welded to the base plate 33, as in the form shown in Fig. 12, and it is also equipped with-the inclined teeth 28 that cooperate with the. soft metal disc. 24 to off of the calkin service. ,4

Figs. .16, 17 and 18 illustrate a construction -sim-. ilar to that last described,.except that, instead of uniting the collar flange and baseplateby spot welding, these members are marginally interlocked as by projections 4|! on one member (as for instance the base plate 33) curled over'the margin of the other member (as for, example the flange 32'). This forms a simpleand, strong means for connecting the flange and-base. plate where spot welding equipment may not be avail able.

In the forms of the:invention thus .far de scribed, where back turning of thecalk in service is prevented by. teeth carried by the base plate cooperating with a soft metalwasher on the sole, I have shown the teeth ascut and bent integrally from the metal of a hardened steel1base plate. In Figs. 19 and 20, I have illustrated an optional construction wherein, instead of forming teeth on and from the base plate, I may interpose between the base plate 33 and the soft metal disc 24, .a lock washer, shown in detail in Fig. 20. This consists of a flat steel ring 4|, preferably of the same diameter as the base plate 33, and formed on its inner periphery with a row of transversely oblique or warped teeth 42. When this look washer is clamped between the base plate 33 and the washer 24, both of the latter parts are bitten into by the pointed corners of the teeth 42, thus locking all three of the members 33,. 41 and 24 against relative turning. The direction of slant or warp of the teeth 42 is such that the calk may be readily screwed up, but cannot become unscrewed. In the several forms shown in Figs. 13 to 15, 16 to 18, and 19 and 20, the calk, while locked against backing 011 in service, is not detachable. However, it may easily be made detachable. by substituting for the non-rotatable form of stud shown, a stud having a chambered or kerfed head such as the head of the socket member'shown in Figs. '7 to 12, so that; by the application, of a suitable tool, the stud can be backed out sufilciently to release the bite of the teeth and thus permit the calk to be unscrewed.

In Figs. 21, 22 and 23, I have illustrated another simple and practical means for detachably connecting the flange of the calk collar to the calk base plate. In this instance, I have shown the base plate 43 permanently attached to the sole by clinched nails 2 I, the same as in Fig. 3, and I have also shown the base plate 43 as formed with a row of punched holes 44 (Fig. 23). Intermediate the nail holes, the flange 32 of the collar 12 is formed with holes 45 of slightly larger diameter than, and registering with, the holes 44, the holes 45 slidably receiving short thread-cutting screws 46. In punching the holes 44 the metal is extruded forming a short collar or sleeve 41 of an internal diameter slightly less than the external diameter of the thread of the screw 46. The tip of the screw 46 has an auger point 48 that will readily pierce any leather in its path, and as the screw is driven home, its thread cuts a cooperating thread in the wall of the hole 44 and collar 41. Such a thread-cutting screw, which is a known article, obviates the necessity of tapping the hole 44 and collar 41, and at the same time the removal of the screws by an ordinary screw driver is all that is necessary to detach the calk from the $016.. Manifestly, in this construction, as in that shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the calk, when once applied, is rigidly locked against turning in either direction.

prevent backing -'Ic1aim:., 'p' I? .;1. .In an article of the character described, the combination of a calk formed with a tapered base portion, a ,taperedcollar snugly embracing said base portion-and formedon its wide end with a lateral flange flush with the base of said calk, a plate covering the base of said calk and said flange and secured to the latter, and means for attaching said plate to the sole of a shoe.

. 2. In an article of-the character described, the combination of a calkformed with a tapered base portion, a taperedcollar snugly embracing said base portion and formed on its wide end with alateral flange flush with the base of said calk, a: plate covering the base of said calk and said flange and secured to the latter by means preventing relative turning movement of said plate and collar, and means for attaching said plateto the sole of a shoe.

3. In an article of the character described, the combination of a calk formed with a tapered base portion, a tapered collar snugly embracing said base portion and formed on its wide end with a lateralflange flush with the base of said calk, a plate covering the base of said call: and said flange, means for separabIysecuring said plate to said flange, said means preventing relative turning movement of said plate and collar, and means for attaching said plate to the sole ofa shoe.

4. In an article of the character described, the combination of a calk formed with a tapered base portion, a tapered collar snugly embracing said base portion, a metal plate covering the base of said calk and fastened to said collar, a metal washer on the shoe sole'forming aseat for said plate; means of the screw type for securing said calk to the sole, and means between said plate and washer permitting said calk to j be screwed onto the sole but preventing backing oiT of the'c'alk in'se'rvice.

5. In an article of the character described, the combination of a calk formed with a tapered base portion, a' tapered collar snugly embracing said base portion, a metal plate covering the base of said calk and fastened to said collar, a metal washer on the shoe sole forming a seat for said plate, an internally threaded socket member and a cooperating threaded stud, one mounted in the shoe sole and the other in the calk, for securing the calk to the sole, and detent means between said plate and washer permitting the calk to be screwed onto the sole but preventing backing oit of the calk in service.

6. In an article of the character described, the combination of a calk formed with a tapered base portion, a tapered collar snugly embracing said base portion, a metal plate covering the base of said calk and fastened to said collar, a metal washer on the shoe sole forming a seat for said plate, an internally threaded socket member and a cooperating threaded stud, one mounted in the shoe sole and the other in the calk, for securing the calk to the sole, and teeth on said plate cooperating with said washer in a manner permitting the calk to be screwed onto the sole but preventing backing off of the calk in service.

'7. In an article of the character described, the combination of a calk formed with a tapered base portion, a tapered collar snugly embracing said base portion and formed with a flange on its wide end, a metal plate covering the base of said calk and said flange and rigidly secured to the latter, a metal washer on the shoe sole forming a seat for said plate, an internally threaded socket memher and a cooperating threaded stud, one mounted in the shoe sole and the otheri'nthe calk, for securing the calk to the sole, and detent means between said plate and washer permitting the calk to be screwed onto the sole but preventing backing off of the calk in service.

8. In an article of the character described, the combination of a call: formed with a tapered base portion, a tapered collar snuglyembracing said base portion and formed with a flange on its wide end, a metal plate covering the base of said calk and said flange and spot welded to the latter, a metal washer on the shoe sole forming a seat for said plate, an internally threaded socket member and a cooperating threaded stud, one mounted in the shoe sole and the other in the calk, for securing the calk to the sole, and de tent means between said plate and washer permitting the calk to be screwed onto the sole but preventing backing off of the calk in service.

9. In an article of the character described, the combination of a calk formed with a tapered base portion, a tapered collar snugly embracing said base portion and formed with a flange on its wide end, a metal plate covering the base of said calk and said flange and marginally interlocked with the latter, a metal washer on the shoe sole forming a seat for said plate, an internally threaded socket member and a cooperating threaded stud, one mounted in the shoe sole and the other in the calk, for securing the calk to the sole, and detent means between said plate and washer permitting the calk to be screwed onto the sole but preventing backing off of the calk in service.

10. In an article of the character described, the combination of a calk formed with a tapered base portion, a tapered metal collar snugly embracing said base portion, and a metal plate covering the base of said calk'and secured to the wide end of said collar, said metal plate formed with a central internally threaded boss adapted to engage with a threaded stud in the sole of a shoe.

11. In an article of the character described, the combination of a calk formed with a tapered base portion, a tapered metal collar snugly embracing said base portion and formed with a flange on its wide end, and a metal plate covering the base ofsaid calk ands'aid flange and marginally interlocked with the latter, said metal plate formed with a central countersunk internally. threaded boss adapted to engage with a threaded stud in the sole of a shoe;

12. In an article of thecharacter described,

the combination of a calk formed with a tapered base portion, a tapered collar snugly embracing said base portion and formed with a flange on its wide end, said flange having a slotted extension and a tongue opposite said extension, a metal plate covering the base of said "calk' and said flange and formed with a loop extending through the slot of said extension and a'loop receiving said tongue, a cotter pin extending through said firstnamed loop to lock said plate to said flange, and means for attaching said'plate to the sole of a shoe. T I

13. In an article of the character described, the combination of a, calk formed with a tapered base portion, a tapered collar snugly embracing said base portion and formed with a flange on its wide end, said flange having an extension formed with a pair of longitudinal slots and a longitudinally extending tongue opposite said extension, a metal plate covering the base of-said calk and said flange and formed with loops extending through the slots of said extensionand a loop receiving said tongue, a cotter pin extending throughsaid first-named loops to locksaid plate to said flange, and fastening means extending through said plate into the sole. i

14. In an article ofthe character described, the combination of a calk formed with ataperedbase portion, a tapered collar snugly embracing said base portion and formed with a flange on'its wide end, a metal platecovering the baseof said calk and said flange, means for attaching said plate to the sole of a shoe, and meansifor detachably locking said flange to said plate, said flange being formed with nail holes whereby it may be attached directly to the sole of a shoe.-

EDWARD (J. sTERNAMAN. 

